Cavi brand whole papayas fingered in Salmonella outbreak

Cavi brand whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico and distributed by Agroson’s LLC of Bronx, New York are the likely source of an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda that has sickened 71 people in eight states.

This information was contained in an investigation update released today (July 5) by FDA.

The Mexican government, which described FDA’s initial report as “premature” on July 1st has not yet responded to this update.

Agroson’s is an importer and distributor of papayas. The company was one of the distributors involved in the 2017 Salmonella outbreaks linked to contaminated papayas from Mexico.

Epidemiological and traceback evidence indicates that the Agroson’s was the exclusive distributor of the implicated papayas.

FDA has asked Agroson’s to initiate a product recall. The company has not yet complied.

Illnesses associated with this outbreak have been reported in eight states: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (18), New York (27), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1).

Twenty-seven people have been hospitalized. There have been no deaths.

The hospitalization rate is higher than usual in a Salmonella outbreak, according to CDC.

Among those victims for whom information is available, the rate is 60%. The usual hospitalization rate in Salmonella outbreaks is approximately 20%.

The Cavi papayas were distributed in six states, all of which have reported outbreak cases. There was no distribution in Florida or Texas.

The Florida victim reported traveling to Connecticut before becoming ill. The Texas victim reported having traveled to New York.

FDA, which is continuing its investigations, offers the following recommendations:

For Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers:

Consumers in all states should not eat any Cavi brand whole, fresh papayas and should throw them away. If consumers are unable to determine the brand of papayas, they should be thrown away. Retailers, restaurants, and other food service providers in all states should not serve or sell whole, fresh papayas under the Cavi brand, which is distributed by Agroson’s LLC.

Consumers no longer need to avoid whole, fresh papayas, with the exception of Cavi brand papayas.

For Restaurants, Retailers, Importers, Suppliers, and Distributors in All States:

The FDA strongly advises importers, suppliers, and distributors, as well as restaurants, retailers, and other food service providers from all states to not sell or distribute whole, fresh papayas from Agroson’s LLC that are labeled under the Cavi brand.

Pig ear pet treats blamed for human Salmonella outbreak

Pig ear pet treats have been linked to an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections in 13 states, according to an investigation report released today by CDC.

Forty-five individuals in California (1), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (12), Kansas (3), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (7), Missouri (3), New York (6), North Dakota (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (1) and Wisconsin (1) have been infected with the outbreak strain, identified as Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-.

Twelve outbreak victims were hospitalized.

According to CDC, epidemiological evidence points to pig ear pet treats as a likely source of the illnesses.

Of the outbreak victims interviewed, 89% reported contact with a dog before getting sick and 71% reported contact with pig ear dog treats or with dogs who were fed pig ear dog treats.

In comparison, only 61% of healthy individuals reported contact with a dog, and only 16% reported having handled dog treats such as pig ears in the week before the interview.

Pig ear pet treats obtained from bulk bins at two Michigan retailers have tested positive for a number of different Salmonella strains, according to a report from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

According to FDA, MDARD found four different strains – Salmonella London, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Newport, and Salmonella Infantis – in the pig ear samples.

FDA is working with CDC and state health partners to determine whether any human or animal cases of Salmonella illness may be linked to the strains found in the treats tested by MDARD.

Other brands of individually wrapped or bagged pig ears sold at multiple retail locations in the state tested negative for Salmonella.

Pet Supplies Plus (Livonia, MI) issued a voluntary recall after learning that MDARD found Salmonella in “…aging bulk pig ear product…” in one of the company’s stores.

The contaminated bulk pig ears were stocked in open bins in Pet Supplies Plus stores in AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI and WV. Prepackaged pig ears are unaffected by the recall.

The company has removed bulk pig ear treats from all of its stores and has stopped shipping these treats from its distribution center.

FDA is working to identify the source of the pig ear treats, how they became contaminated, and where they were distributed.

What consumers need to know

Salmonella can cause illness in both humans and animals. People infected with Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most individuals recover without treatment. However, in some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that hospitalization is needed.

In severe cases, without antibiotic treatment the infection may spread from the intestines into the blood stream and from there to other parts of the body.

Pets do not always display symptoms when infected with Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level. Infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces and saliva without showing signs of being sick.

If you or a household member is suffering from symptoms of Salmonella, consult a healthcare provider.

If you believe your pet may be infected with Salmonella, consult your veterinarian.

How to alert FDA to a problem

Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonella may do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network) if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.

FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal. This information helps FDA further protect human and animal health.

Recalls and Alerts: June 27 – 30, 2019

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: FDA and CDC are alerting the public to an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses linked to papayas imported from Mexico.

Food Safety Recall: Central Aquatics recalls Aqueon Betta Food (.95 oz jar; Item #100106051; Expiry dates EX04JUN22 and EX05JUN22; UPC 0 15905 06051 6) due to Salmonella contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Clover Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Sanwu brand Spicy Hot Bean Curd (150g; All product codes; UPC 6 905475 352002) due to undeclared sesame and wheat.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): VINESPA recalls certain Pandomar brand calamari products due to undeclared shellfish. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): TAYBA TRADING SPRL recalls certain YAMAN et BALADNA bulgar products due to undeclared wheat (gluten). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Lidl Danmark K/S recalls four varieties of Chef Select tortelloni due to lack of Danish language allergen labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Lidl recalls My Best Veggie’s Vegetarian Spicy Bean Burger bean soup (200g; Batch code L69136; Best before July 16, 2016) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Leonidas recalls Various boxed Leonidas Belgium Chocolates due to undeclared sesame seeds and nuts.

Allergy Alert (Italy): THE LORENZ BAHLSEN SNACK-WORLD GMBH & CO KG recalls NIC NAC’S ORIGINAL (125g with Promo sticker; Lots 9205, 9222, 9232, 9252; Best before 02/16/2020, 02/27/2020, 03/03/2020, 03/17/2020) due to lack of Italian language allergen declaration.

Allergy Alert (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco 2 British Cheese Burgers with Buns (469g; Use by 28, 29 and 30 June 2019 and 1, 3 and 4 July 2019) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Brugse Visrokerij Alloo recalls Alloo brand saumon doux fumé artisanal / mild smoked salmon (200g; Lot #32419 1306; Best before 09/07/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Kaufland Fleischwaren SB GmbH & Co. KG recalls certain K-Purland brand meat products due to foreign matter (red plastic pieces) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Damse Kaasmakerij recalls Herbal Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 17/07/2019) and Pepper Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 11/07/2019, 17/07/2019, 22/07/2019, 23/07/2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleischerei Stübner recalls Mettwurst fein / Fine Mettwurst (sold between 05.06.2019 and 28.06.2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gül Lebensmittel und Grosshandel recalls CEBEL Kirma yesil Zeytin / Kirma green olives (700g; 20.12.2020 (Series 201218) and 21.01.2021 (Series 020119)) as the product is unsafe for consumption due to a production defect and incorrect packaging.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Zorn GmbH & Co.KG recalls certain meat products, because Salmonella was found in a raw sausage batch. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Britvic PLC recalls Robinson’s Fruit Shoot Apple and Blackcurrant bottles (24 x 200ml multipack (Tesco and Costco) and 200ml single bottle (McDonald’s); Batch codes NO5 L9164, NO5 L9171 and NO6 L9171; Best before March 2020) because the spout within the sports bottle cap may become detached unexpectedly.

Food Safety Recall (UK – Northern Ireland specific): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK): Homeland By Products Ltd recalls Frozen Raw Beef pet food (500g; Batch code 1510; Best before May 2021), Frozen Raw Turkey pet food ((500g; Batch code 1513; Best before May 2021), and Frozen Raw Tripe pet food (500g; Batch code 1518; Best before May 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.